Specialty Printing

The Makerspace offers a multitude of specialty printing and other service options. Click through the offerings below to get an idea of how you can utilize our space to further your academic or personal goals through 3D printing, vinyl cutting, and much more!

Selected
3D Printing
Photo Printing
Sticker Printing
Other

3D Printing

The AU Library Makerspace has four 3D printers available for community use: a Dremel DigiLab 3D45, a Snapmaker A350T, a Bambu Lab A1, and an Elegoo Saturn 3.

Note: The Snapmaker is a 3-in-1 machine that features a carving tool and a laser cutter. The AU Library Makerspace is not currently equipped to utilize these functionalities. Please visit our colleagues at the Design and Build Lab (DaBL) if you would like to work on a project that requires this type of technology.

Submitting a 3D Printing Request

All files must be submitted in .STL format using our specialty printing request form. Submissions will be reviewed to ensure that they comply with the rules above with Makerspace policies and are suitable for production. To avoid delays, please ensure you provide us with as much information regarding your print as possible, including if you found your object on a file sharing site like thingiverse.com.

3D print times vary depending on the size of the object, the machine, the amount of material used, and may fail for a variety of reasons. Therefore, we ask for at least 14 days to print your object. If there is a problem with the design or we cannot print your item, you will be contacted and given the option to schedule a 3D printing consultation.

Note: The Makerspace is only open Monday-Friday. Any prints submitted on Friday evening through the weekend will be attended to on Monday at the earliest.

Pricing

3D prints are charged based on the amount of material used. For filament printing, this comes out to $0.05 per gram (g). For resin printing, this comes out to $0.10 per milliliter (mL). This charge includes any additional support structures. Patrons have the option of providing their own material if they would prefer.

Payment is taken virtually. Once your item is printed, you’ll receive an email with the cost and directions for completing your payment. Unfortunately, we are unable to use your printing allotment to cover specialty prints.

Pickup

After successful payment, all 3D items will be placed at the Click n Collect station, located on the first floor of the library (near the Circulation and Course Reserves desk). This floor is open 24/7.

Photo Printing

The AU Library Makerspace has a Canon Pixma PRO-10 inkjet photo printer available for community use.

Submitting a Photo Printing Request

All files must be submitted in .PNG, .JPEG, or .TIFF format using our specialty printing request form. Once submitted, Makerspace staff will be in contact using our ticketing system—keep an eye on your email for updates to your case. We will not edit your picture to fit the desired size or complete any other design work. This could lead to a delay in obtaining your finished product so please submit your files exactly how you want them printed! We ask for a 48-hour turnaround time for photo prints.

Note: The Makerspace is only open Monday-Friday. Any prints submitted on Friday evening through the weekend will be attended to on Monday at the earliest.

Pricing

Photo print charges are $1.50 per photo, regardless of size. This cost is calculated based on the average cost of paper and ink. Average photo sizes are: 6 x 4 inches, 5 x 7 inches, 8 x 10 inches, 8.5 x 11 in, 12 x 18 inches, and 13 x 19 inches. If your photo is larger than that, please visit our poster printing page.

Payment is taken virtually. Once your item is printed, you’ll receive an email with the cost and directions for completing your payment. Unfortunately, we are unable to use your printing allotment to cover specialty prints.

Pickup

After successful payment, all photo prints will be placed at the Click & Collect station, located on the First Floor of the library (near the Circulation and Course Reserves desk). This floor is open 24/7.

Sticker Printing

The AU Library Makerspace has a Cricut Joy Xtra and a Cricut Maker 4 vinyl cutting machines available for community use for sticker making and other projects.

Submitting a Sticker Printing Request

All files must be submitted in .PNG, .JPEG, or .PDF format using our specialty printing request form. Once submitted, Makerspace staff will be in contact using our ticketing system—keep an eye on your email for updates to your case. Please submit a request for each image you would like to make into a sticker, do not combine them onto one sheet! If you like, you are welcome to come to the Makerspace to use our computer to access Canva Pro or Cricut Design Space. We ask for a 24-hour turnaround time for sticker prints.

Note: The Makerspace is only open Monday-Friday. Any prints submitted on Friday evening through the weekend will be attended to on Monday at the earliest.

Pricing

Sticker printing charges are $1.00 per sheet of sticker paper used. This cost is calculated based on the average cost of paper and ink.

Payment is taken virtually. Once your item is printed, you’ll receive an email with the cost and directions for completing your payment. Unfortunately, we are unable to use your printing allotment to cover specialty prints.

Pickup

After successful payment, all sticker prints will be placed at the Click & Collect station, located on the First Floor of the library (near the Circulation and Course Reserves desk). This floor is open 24/7.

Other

If you are interested in printing something else with the Makerspace, like a bookmark, business card, or flyers for an event, submit a request using our specialty printing request form and we’ll get back to you to discuss options and costs!

Contact

libmakerspace@american.edu
Bender Library, Lower Level

Submit 3D Model to Print

Please Note

The Library 3D printers are hobbyist machines. If you need you object to be exact, please consider using a commercial printing company.